Most Discussed

HP to open-source webOS, own hardware still dead

updated 01:55 pm EST, Fri December 9, 2011

by MacNN Staff

HP to open-source webOS code

HP at its all-hands meeting Friday said it was open-sourcing webOS. Both the Enyo app framework and the OS itself would be published under a license. The company expected to "continue to be active" in making and supporting webOS, but mobile hardware would have to come from others.

"By contributing this innovation, HP unleashes the creativity of the open source community to advance a new generation of applications and devices," CEO Meg Whitman said in a statement.

The move keeps the former Palm team working at HP and could see third-party phone makers take up webOS as an alternative to Android. For HP, though, it marks the more formal end to any near-term plans for webOS phones and tablets. The failure of the TouchPad at its pre-cancellation prices led to an abrupt stop to production, but hopes had existed that former CEO Leo Apotheker's forced exit would revive devices. Rumors had circulated of talks with Intel and others to sell the division and restart internal hardware work.

Now that WebOS is open source, another company can make a WebOS device without worrying about competing against the company that controls it. Google, which controls Android, now controls Motorola, so Google might not be a good partner if you want to make cell phones and tablets.

There's also a good possibility that HP will do a better job at managing the code. Every time Google puts out a new version of Android, they work with one and only one company to produce a template platform. That means a company that competes against that chosen manufacturer now finds itself six months behind. And, Google doesn't post the code until it is good and ready to. And, the code posted is really incomplete.

Let's say ZTE wants to make it big in the smart phone and tablet market here in the U.S. They can try Windows Phone, but each chip maker chooses one primary and one secondary partner to manufacture the device. ZTE probably won't get chosen, so Windows it out.

Google might never approve ZTE as an Android manufacturer, so ZTE could take the Android code (when and if it is published), fill in the missing pieces, and hope for the best. However, they'll be constantly behind their competition.

However, ZTE could build a WebOS device, and if HP manages the code as a true open source project, ZTE doesn't have to worry about being a second tier provider. They have the same access as everyone else.

The problem is that Barnes & Noble's Nook and Amazon's Kindle have already chosen Android as their OS (although in a very non-approved way). An open sourced WebOS would have been perfect for both of them.

Yeah, and that's totally about to happen. Because, you can be 100% sure that HP will stick to the decision to continue to develop webOS. They won't let you down. They know what they're doing and can be trusted to commit to this thing.

It will be offered under "A License". That tells me everything I want to know!

Translation: "we want to try and get those FOSS retards to do our work for us without charging anything, but we don't want to give up ownership and control in case webOS someday becomes worth using, so we're trying to figure out a license which will prevent anyone from forking the code and leaving us out in the cold. That means no GPL, BSD, MIT, or Artistic licenses. Our lawyers are working on writing something from scratch even as we speak."

Login Here

Now AAPL Stock: 113.95 ( + 1.83 )

Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit

Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj

Share

Developer163d

Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket

The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]

Share

163d

Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera

Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94

Share

Industry163d

Apple employees testing wheelchair features

New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa

Share

Troubleshooting163d

SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards

SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If

Share

Upgrades/storage163d

Apple's third-quarter results due July 26

Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm

Share

Investor164d

Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users

Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE